The Details: Monitors Battery Systems

The serious overlander prepares for the elements he will experience on his journey. His vehicle is his lifeline, and if that lifeline should falter, consequences can by dire. Losing power to your vehicle is a common concern. With all the latest equipment drawing on your battery system, you need to consider your electrical supply and how to manage it. Winches, lighting, laptops, GPS, fridges, and the like all demand a lot from your battery. A good solution is a dual battery system that can manage the load you put on it.

Remote locations put a premium on energy. It must be managed wisely. National Luna has built a line of battery management and monitoring equipment to compliment their Fridge Freezers. Without touching your OEM wiring, you can now add/manage/monitor a second battery system in your vehicle. Knowledge is power. Know what power you have

National Luna Battery Management Systems are time tested, proven vehicle energy control equipment. From the harsh demands of Africa, National Luna offers a complete line of monitoring and control options. From individual items for the "Do it yourself" traveler to complete turnkey dual battery split charging kits, you will find your needs fulfilled here.

Here's how it works!

Short Version

The National Luna Intelligent Split Charging System allows you to maintain two or more batteries in your vehicle. The Intelligent Solenoid manages the charging of both of them when the vehicle is running, and isolates them when the vehicle is off. It is all automatic. You can monitor the status of the batteries, and manually override the connection from the Dual Battery Controller.

Detailed Version

The National Luna Intelligent Solenoid is the key to an automated dual battery charging system. It can be a stand alone purchase. The Dual Battery Controller is used in conjunction with the Intelligent Solenoid to monitor battery levels and provide control of the battery connection.

Wiring

Wiring the dual battery system is simple. You do not modify your existing electrical system at all.

Connect a cable from the primary battery positive lead to the left side of the solenoid on the Intelligent Solenoid.

Connect a cable from the secondary battery positive lead to the right side of the Intelligent Solenoid.

Connect a cable from the primary battery negative lead to the secondary battery negative lead.

Connect the control wire from the Intelligent Solenoid to the primary battery negative lead.

Plug the Dual Battery Controller into the Intelligent Solenoid, and run the cable into the cab of your vehicle to a convenient spot.

You are done.

Intelligent Solenoid Functions

The Intelligent Solenoid (IS) senses an incoming voltage of greater than 13.1V when you turn on the vehicle.

The IS starts an internal timer for 5 minutes, keeping the full charge to the primary battery to recoup for the discharge of starting the vehicle.

After 5 minutes, the IS automatically closes the circuit in the solenoid, allowing current to flow to the seecondary battery.

This connection remains closed until the IS senses a voltage of less than 12.7V across the system. This is most commonly when the vehicle is shut off. Brand new batteries can often maintain a charge above 12.7V for a while. The IS will keep the connection closed until less than 12.7V is available, then it will open the solenoid circuit isolating the batteries from one another.

The IS will keep the batteries isolated until it once again senses a voltage greater than 13.1V. Then it starts the timer and the whole process begins again.

This process is fully automated. You do not have to manually manage the charging of the second battery.

Dual Battery Controller Functions

Monitors the charge level of both batteries on both voltage and percentage based scales.